An International Christmas

Happy New Year! How were your holidays? All of my children and grandkids were here for our annual feast on the 24th. This year, I decided to mix things up a little and have some new foods on the buffet to conclude my 2019 Year of New Things.

 

We started out with Italian Wedding Soup instead of my usual seafood chowder. I made the meatballs the night before and baked them, so it was easy to throw everything together at the last minute. And I had no idea that the pasta is called Acini di Pepe no. 78 because I had never made it before. It turned out really well!

The rest of the menu: Brown Sugar Salmon, Beef Tenderloin with a French Bordelaise mushroom sauce, Honey Baked Ham, Strawberry Pretzel Salad, German Potato Salad, Roasted Beets/Carrots/Broccoli, and Stuffed Mushrooms.

For dessert, we tried these for the first time. I have always wanted to give them a whirl. They are made of Japanese sticky rice dough with a mango sorbet center. Pretty good! We also had an assortment of homemade Christmas cookies that I have been making and freezing since Thanksgiving: layered mint brownies, oatmeal jammies, chocolate chip snowballs, magic cookie bars, and soft ginger cookies.

My son and his new wife spent the month of October traveling around China. It was the first time he had met any of her family. I had sent some gifts with them that related to our city and state. Note: Not easy when everything here seems to be made in China! Her parents reciprocated and sent some gifts for us:

This set of covered cups was for my husband. I thought that the lids were to keep the coffee or tea hot, but my daughter-in-law said that her family puts loose leaf tea directly in the cups and uses the lid to strain the leaves while drinking. I would not be that coordinated, so we will just be using the lids to keep the drinks warm!

 

 

 I was touched that they sent a different jewelry box to both of my daughters and to me. This one is mine; isn't it gorgeous?

Even the box that the jewelry case came in was beautiful and I will use it to store some things in my closet.

 My son and his wife gave me these bags of black and green tea along with this little teapot. Isn't it cute?

We also host the annual Cousin Party, which is my kids' cousins (or should I say, the cousins of the siblings that my husband speaks to) which is growing to include significant others.

 This year, we had a Mexican theme. I made 40 enchiladas. Due to various food restrictions, I made 20 vegan corn and bean ones and 20 chicken ones, though I had to use vegan cheese in some of the chicken ones due to lactose intolerance. Now I know what a restaurant deals with! We also had chips, salsa, guacamole, salad, and mini chocolate cherry cheesecakes for dessert. I'm currently tired of food, no matter its nationality.